Auria Jourdain - Spirit of the Northwoods

Spirit

of

the

Northwoods

By: Auria Jourdain

Copyright 2016 Auria Jourdain Books

All rights reserved.

Edition 1.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The historical events are also fabricated; however, the historical details of the times were researched for accuracy. Some literary license was taken with certain places and dates to fit the story. Any product names are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference.

~This book is also in print at online retailers~

DEDICATION

I WROTE THIS BOOK FOR my son, Logan Hughes, who was diagnosed at the age of 6 with Aspergers Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism. Despite our early intervention, hes struggled with social rules, having a difficult time being accepted by society. Teenage life has presented new problems, including peer pressurejust like his doppelganger, Shane Colfax. Unlike Shane, Logan has the ability to speak, but I wanted to challenge myself, and Shanes scenes were some of my favorites to write.

I release this book during Autism Awareness month, and my hope is to shed light on the complex and overstimulating world an autistic person has to endure. The effects of bullying an autistic teen can be brutal for both the person and their families, and its important to talk about this sensitive issue as a community. As a neurotypical mother with an autistic son, my perspective is my own. Im sure Logan could add some things to my story that only an autistic person would understand.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

**I WOULD LIKE TO THANK my husband, Brian, for sharing his expertise about medicine and the day-to-day workings of an emergency room. I would also like to thank my teen beta readers, Ashlee Ramme, Megan Hughes, and Ian Hughes. They all attended high school while I wrote this book, and their insight into the modern teenager was invaluable. I hope Ashlee enjoys her doppelganger, Christa Evanson.

**Many thanks to Rachel Peterson for helping me understand jurisdictions of the DNR, U.S. Forest Service, and other such agencies represented in the Upper Peninsula. Its a complicated system, and with her help, I came to understand it better.

**I cant forget my happy proofreaders: Tammy Kann, Brian Hughes, Ian Hughes, and Megan Hughes. A fresh pair of eyes (or 4) is always helpful, and you guys are fantastic.

**Last, Id like to thank my content editor, Joe Rugola. Spirit of the Northwoods is the second book of which Ive had the pleasure of working with Joe, and as always, his attention to detail and his vast knowledge always enhance my work.

NOTE:

All characters in this novel are fictional. Any and all similarities to any living person with the same name as characters in my book are purely coincidental. We have a large Swedish and Finnish community in the Upper Peninsula, and I merely went through the telephone directory when I chose surnames for my characters.

As a resident of this beautiful state, I have the utmost respect for the local law enforcement agencies, the Michigan DNR, the Ojibwa people and their government, and the mining communities of the Upper Peninsula. The aspects of my story that mention these institutions and any of their representatives (i.e., Sheriff Williams, Senator Parila, Frank Parila, Chief Leon Hughes, et al.) are entirely fictional, and not indicative of anyone living or dead. My inspiration for this book came solely from the infamous legends of the Paulding Light, and I thoroughly researched all information regarding it in my novel. This book is intended for older teen audiences, ages 14 and up for mild adult language, teenage situations, and death.

Prologue

I N THE SHIMMERING LIGHT of the crescent moon, Jimmy Hawk ran through the dark, hemlock forest, his heart racing in fear. Even with the wind at his back, he couldnt move fast enough through the thick forest underbrush. Taking a deep breath of air, Jimmy cursed in frustration. He wasnt as young as he used to be, and years of drug abuse had weakened his endurance.

Jimmy, you cant escape, man, the older man called out. You want your family to live, dont ya?

Yeah, come on man. This aint cool.

With a quick glance back, Jimmy panicked. The two men were closing in quickly. Suddenly, he stumbled over a large rock hidden under the autumn leaves. As he screamed out in surprise, his long hair flew up, and he fell to the ground in a heap.

He laid on a thick mound of humus and writhed in pain, the earthy smell of leaves enveloping him like a gentle fog. With concerted effort, he removed his medicine pouch from his pocket.

Great Spirit, hear my plea. Guide me back to my people so I can save them from the sinister plans of these white men.

The men shuffled up to him, flipping him over with their steel-toed boots, and Jimmy groaned. Towering above him, each man held a rope in his hands. Accepting he had little time left, Jimmy sat up on his elbows with his pouch at his side. He was ready to face the consequences of his life. Were they?